Lexic.us

Definition of Toadeater

1. n. A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant; a flatterer; a toady.

Definition of Toadeater

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Toadeater

1. A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant; a flatterer; a toady. "You had nearly imposed upon me, but you have lost your labour. You're too zealous a toadeater, and betray yourself." (Dickens) Origin: Said to be so called in allusion to an old alleged practice among mountebanks' boys of eating toads (popularly supposed to be poisonous), in order that their masters might have an opportunity of pretending to effect a cure. The French equivalent expression is un avaleur de couleuvres. Cf. Toady. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Toadeater Pictures

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Lexicographical Neighbors of Toadeater

TNM classification TNM staging tnpI recombinase TNT TNT TO to to-and-fro anaesthesia to-and-fro murmur to-and-fro sound

to-do toad toad toad-in-the-hole toadeater (current term) toadeater (current term) toadeaters toadfish toadfish toadfishes

toadflax toadflax toadflaxes toadhead toadied toadies toadish toadless toadlike toadrush

Literary usage of Toadeater

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Poetry of Robert Burns by Robert Burns (1896)
"THE toadeater OF Lordly acquaintance you boast, And the Dukes that you dined with yestreen , Yet an insect's an insect at most, Tho' it crawl on the curl of ..."

2. The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns by Robert Burns, William Ernest Henley (1897)
"THE toadeater OF Lordly acquaintance you boast, Tet an insect 's an insect at most, Tho' it crawl on the ourl of a Queen ! And the Dukes that you dined with ..."

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